The bill H.98 proposes the establishment of an expedited confirmatory adoption process specifically for parents who have conceived a child through assisted reproduction. It introduces a new section, 15A V.S.A. 1-114, which defines assisted reproduction and outlines the requirements for filing a petition for adoption. The bill stipulates that when a child is born through assisted reproduction, the non-birthing parent(s) can file a petition to confirm their parentage without the need for additional consent or notice from donors, provided certain conditions are met. The petition must include a signed declaration from both parents, a marriage certificate if applicable, and a certified copy of the child's birth certificate.

Additionally, the bill simplifies the adoption process by eliminating the need for in-person hearings, home studies, and criminal record checks unless the court finds good cause to require them. The court is mandated to grant the adoption and issue a decree within 30 days if the necessary conditions are satisfied. The bill also clarifies that a petition for adoption cannot be denied based on existing presumptions of parentage and that the lack of a prior adoption petition will not be used as evidence in cases of conflicting presumptions. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.